Oregon Ducks, Marcus Mariota hot topics 50 days from start of college football season

We're 50 days away from the college football season. Why not celebrate that by asking 50 questions for the upcoming football season.

It's never too early to ask questions.

1. Can Jameis Winston win the Heisman Trophy again? Since 1975, eight players tried to match former Ohio State running back Archie Griffin's two Heisman trophies, including Tim Tebow and Johnny Manziel. Billy Sims came the closest in 1979 when he finished second behind USC's Charles White. It won't be easy for Winston.

2. Who is the stiffest competition? The Oregon Ducks' Marcus Mariota, who averages 8.8 yards per pass attempt and 7.3 yards per carry the last two seasons.

3. What about a deep sleeper? If UCLA wins big and Myles Jack keeps making plays at both linebacker and running back, a Charles Woodson-like campaign is possible. It's going to be tough to overshadow quarterback Brett Hundley, however.

4. Go outside the Power 5. Who you got? Keep an eye on Marshall's Rakeem Cato and East Carolina's Justin Hardy.

5. What about Braxton Miller? Ohio State's four-year starter — who has 24 straight regular-season wins — deserves a courtesy invite if he adds a Big Ten title to his resume.

14. Third best? South Carolina vs. Clemson. The back-and-forth jabs between Steve Spurrier and Dabo Swinney are priceless.

15. What about Ohio State vs. Michigan? The Buckeyes have won nine of the last 10, and Michigan hasn't won in Columbus since 2000.

16. Which school is a Power 5 sleeper? North Carolina averaged 36.4 points per game the last two seasons and brings in five-star running back Elijah Hood. They could match Duke's run from last season.

17. Which school is a Group of 5 sleeper? Cincinnati. Tommy Tuberville and Gunner Kiel will get your attention in trips to Ohio State and Miami.

18. Which new coach are you most excited about? Chris Petersen in Washington.

19. Then who? Charlie Strong at Texas.

20. After that? Bobby Petrino at Louisville.

21. Does Brady Hoke lose his job? If Michigan gets swept by Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State.

22. Does Will Muschamp lose his? If Florida gets swept by Georgia, Tennessee and Florida State.

23. What about Bo Pelini? Pelini keeps his job with another nine-plus wins.

24. Which freshman makes the biggest impact? LSU running back Leonard Fournette or Michigan cornerback Jabrill Peppers, but both are being counted on for too much too soon.

25. Who do the schedule gods love? Iowa. No Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State or Penn State in the new Big Ten format. The Hawkeyes' toughest road game is either Minnesota or Pittsburgh.

26. Who do the schedule gods hate? Tennessee has a three-week stretch (Sept. 13-Oct. 4) with trips to Oklahoma and Georgia before welcoming Florida, and another three-week stretch (Oct. 18-Nov. 1) that sandwiches Alabama between road games at Ole Miss and South Carolina.

27. Is there a trendy reason to hate Notre Dame? The Irish play just three true road games this season (at Arizona State, at Florida State, at USC). The other three are at neutral sites.

28. Who is older: Brent Musburger or Verne Lundquist? Here's an upset, folks. Musburger is 75. Lundquist turns 74 on July 17. Enjoy both while you can.

29. What about Lee Corso? Corso turns 79 in August. Again, enjoy while you can.

30. Which coach needs a Twitter account? If only Steve Spurrier would give up his golf obsession for social media.